Nigel Farage is under pressure to disown a string of Reform UK local election candidates after newly unearthed social media posts showed that some appear to hold “grotesque” racist, misogynistic and homophobic views.

Reform has been plagued by vetting issues and vowed to clean up its process following a series of “abhorrent” incidents involving candidates, including one who stood down last month after a photo of him resurfaced in which he appeared to be performing a Nazi salute.

But The Independent has found that three of Reform’s candidates have professed extreme views on social media, with Labour demanding they are suspended even though it is now too late for them to be withdrawn as candidates.

Andrew Mahon, who is standing in Blackburn South East, appears to have made a number of homophobic remarks about health secretary Wes Streeting and Green Party leader Zack Polanski.

Last month, on Facebook, Mr Mahon appeared to state: “I wonder if Wes Streeting likes sausage? I wonder if he eats meat?”

And a now-deleted post on X in March, posted in Mr Mahon’s name, said: “Hannah Spencer the Green MP knows all about ballcocks and I bet she knows all about her heavy-duty plumber’s snake. I wonder, is she has unblocked any flue’s in Zac Polanski’s residence or undertaken any pipe cleaning [sic]”.

In another now deleted post, Mr Mahon appears to say: “No disrespect but why can black people use the word n***** but white people cannot. Seriously, why is this the case?”

In a Facebook post from 2024, Mr Mahon is seen saying on X that Angela Rayner “should consider weight loss jabs”.

Brett Muscroft, standing in Wakefield’s Castleford Central and Glasshoughton ward, seems to have openly supported the far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

In August 2024, a Facebook post in Mr Muscroft’s name said that making Robinson secretary of state for defence would mean “we may get Great Britain back”.

In a post on Facebook from February 2025, an image caption reads: “Islam is like cancer. If you don’t remove it on time, it will kill you.”

Arnold Tabor, who is standing in Wakefield’s South Elmsall and South Kirkby ward, appears to have left a comment on a YouTube video in 2022 suggesting that the navy should shoot migrants in the English Channel.

Another comment, posted in 2023 on a YouTube video, says that migrants should be put in a “huge walled workhouse city” and be made to “work for no pay”.

Anna Turley, chair of the Labour Party, has demanded Mr Farage take action.

She said: “These vile comments expose the type of candidates Reform are happy to put on the ballot paper. Despite all Nigel Farage’s claims about improving vetting in the party, he continues to stand candidates who hold grotesque views. Voters deserve better.

“Farage needs to act and kick these people out of his party for good.”

A spokesperson for Reform said the party was investigating the allegations.

Britain’s Got Talent 2026 auditions are over – here’s the full list of all nine golden buzzer acts heading straight through to the live semi-finals

The Britain’s Got Talent 2026 auditions have concluded, but which performers secured the prestigious golden buzzers ahead of the programme’s semi-finals? Ant and Dec returned to host the ITV show’s 19th series, with Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden joined by KSI on the judging panel.

KSI, who appeared as a guest judge last year, took over from Bruno Tonioli following the former Strictly star’s departure. Beginning in February, the auditions concluded with Saturday night’s final episode (April 18).

ITV has since confirmed that Britain’s Got Talent’s opening semi-final will be broadcast on Saturday, April 25. As with last year, the semi-finals will air on a weekly basis rather than being condensed into a single week as previously done.

This year’s grand final will be held on Saturday, May 30, where one performer will claim £250,000 and a place at this year’s Royal Variety Performance. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter

Following the show’s established format, audiences remain unaware which acts receiving four votes will progress to the semi-finals.

However, certain performers were awarded a golden buzzer and advanced automatically. Nine acts were awarded golden buzzers this year, with semi-finals typically featuring eight or nine performances per evening. This means that nearly 50 acts appearing across the semi-final rounds.

Para-athlete Paul Nunnari became the first recipient of a golden buzzer when Simon pressed his button after watching him ascend red silks using only his hands, having left his wheelchair below. The judge’s second golden buzzer choice was vocalist Matty Juniosa.

Magician Rafferty Coope followed in the footsteps of last year’s winner Harry Moulding, earning his place through KSI’s golden buzzer.

A hilarious moment occurred when Alesha managed to press her buzzer before Simon for light-up dance and movement troupe Antigravity.

Amanda Holden selected Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone Farmers Choir, a performance which moved her to tears, alongside dance ensemble World Wings.

KSI awarded his final golden buzzer to Mr Cherry, whose act involved crushing cans and opening wine bottles using his bottom.

The judging panel weren’t alone in making selections, as Ant and Dec chose comedian Ted Hill, while stand-in judge Stacey Solomon put through the Solomon Braunstone Community Primary School dance troupe.

You can watch Britain’s Got Talent this Saturday, April 25 from 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

A mass trial of 486 suspected MS-13 gang members has begun in El Salvador, the country’s attorney general’s office has said.

Footage released by the attorney general’s office shows large groups of men in prison attending the trial via video link.

The group are collectively accused of committing more than 47,000 crimes – including murder, extortion, drug and arms trafficking – between 2012 and 2022.

United Nations experts say mass trials “undermine the exercise of the right to defence and the presumption of innocence of detainees”.

But the attorney general’s office said it had “compelling” evidence that would allow “maximum penalties” to be imposed on those found guilty.

The BBC’s Mimi Swaby explains why El Salvador are taking this approach and why its led to widespread criticism from rights groups.

Virgin Atlantic flight VS059 from Los Angeles declared a medical emergency over the UK, forcing an expedited early landing at London Heathrow Airport

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A Virgin Atlantic flight from Los Angeles was forced to declare an emergency upon entering British airspace.

The crew aboard the Airbus A350-1000 issued a Squawk 7700 — the internationally recognised code for a general emergency — while cruising at 39,000 feet, owing to a “serious medical situation” involving a passenger, according to reports.

The aircraft made an expedited descent towards London Heathrow Airport, AirLive reports. Having departed Los Angeles International Airport at 3.41pm on Monday, the plane touched down at London Heathrow at 10.06am on Tuesday — approximately 10 minutes ahead of its scheduled arrival, reports the Mirror.

The flight crew notified air traffic control, who authorised priority landing clearance. The aircraft commenced a swift descent towards the airport, where emergency services and ground personnel are believed to have been positioned in readiness.

A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: “Flight VS8 from Los Angeles which departed on Monday 20th April, requested a priority landing on approach to London Heathrow due to a customer becoming unwell onboard.

“The flight landed safely at 10:06am on Tuesday 21st April, where medical assistance was arranged on arrival. The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is always our top priority, and we apologise for any concern caused.”

Donald Trump has pleaded with Iran to release eight women who are set to be executed after anti-regime protests.

Taking to Truth Social, he wrote: ‘To the Iranian leaders, who will soon be in negotiations with my representatives: I would greatly appreciate the release of these women.

‘I am sure that they will respect the fact that you did so. Please do them no harm! Would be a great start to our negotiations!!!’

Not all of the women in the photo have been identified, but one is confirmed to be Bita Hemmati, a protester who was arrested after campaigning against the government in January.

She’s accused of using explosives and weapons, throwing objects, participating in protests and ‘disrupting national security.

Diana Taherabadi, 16, is also featured in the photo. She was detained in February for taking part in protests.

Mahboudeh Shabani, 33, and Ensieh Nejati are also featured. All of the women in the photo are facing death by hanging for their part in anti-regime protests.

Trump has signalled that sparing the women from death could aid Iran in upcoming peace talks, which are reaching the 11th hour before his ceasefire ‘deadline’ of 8pm Washington time tomorrow.

But the fate of those arrested in Iran in January and February’s anti-regime protests is hanging in the balance.

Previously, a shopkeeper who was on the brink of being executed in Iran for his role in the anti-regime protests was released on bail after Trump threatened to attack the country.

Erfan Soltani, 26, faced the death penalty after being detained during mass protests in January.

Iranian authorities appeared to make a U-turn after the President threatened to strike the country if they executed prisoners, but this was before the war began.

Last-minute talks between the United States and Iran are looking increasingly uncertain, as both countries warned that without a deal, they were prepared to resume fighting.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, expected to lead US negotiators if talks continue in Pakistan, remained in Washington on Tuesday, a White House official said.

And Pakistan, which has been urging both sides to return to Islamabad, said it was still awaiting confirmation on whether Iran would participate.

Earlier today, Trump said he is ready to renew attacks against Iran if progress is not made with the US military ‘raring to go’.

The American president also told CNBC he did not want to extend a ceasefire with Tehran as the deadline on the two-week truce looms.

He insisted the US was in a strong position and was ‘going to end up with a great deal’.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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I’m A Celebrity star Aitch is the latest star to face tough questions on ITV’s The Assembly

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Former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! star Aitch has shared an update after recent romance rumours.

The 26-year-old rapper is the latest famous face to take on ITV‘s The Assembly, as the bold interview series continues to air its second series.

The extended run also features appearances from national treasure Sir Stephen Fry, former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, comedy legend Sir Lenny Henry, and actor Anna Maxwell Martin. A sixth and final celebrity will be confirmed at a later date.

The celebrities face a no-holds-barred range of questions that no chat show, press junket or even parliamentary grilling has ever dared to ask.

Aitch’s episode will air on ITV1 at 10.05pm on Wednesday (April 22). During the instalment, the star is put on the spot about EastEnders actress Shona McGarty.

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Aitch came in fourth place in the recent series of I’m A Celebrity in Australia, while Shona placed in third. Rumours of a romance between the pair began swirling whilst the show was on air, after Aitch admitted to having a “soft spot” for Shona.

Shona later addressed the claims directly, saying: “I mean, I’m like over 10 years older than him, and also honestly the rumours are rubbish. He is like my little brother, I was like his older sister, and we just had the same energy level. We were hyper and silly, and that’s why we got on.”

During the upcoming episode of The Assembly, a woman called Jodie asked Aitch: “You know you was in the jungle? Do you like spiders?”

Aitch replied: “I could deal with it… I didn’t like spiders yeah, but when you’re in the jungle, you’re so hungry.”

Jodie then asked Aitch if he liked EastEnders, with the rapper saying: “I know where this is going!”

“I only really know two characters in EastEnders,” he went on, with Jodie noting: “Yeah, Whitney! Why were you flirting [with her]?”

Aitch said: “I wasn’t flirting with her.” Issuing an update, the star then revealed: “I’ve not gone out with her, no.”

Elsewhere in the episode, Aitch opened up about his sister, Gracie, who has Down’s syndrome. He also revealed that he beat up a boy in college after he made fun of his sister.

“One time actually, he was pretending to be me rapping and then said a line about my sister that I didn’t really like. And if you want me to keep it absolutely real with everyone, I [saw] him a couple days after in college, and I absolutely f***** him up,” Aitch candidly shared.

“I definitely [don’t] condone no violence, but no one can say that about anyone’s brother or sister… One person, and he’ll never do it again, I promise you that.”

The Assembly and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! are both available to stream on ITVX

The Joiners Arms in Hunwick was visited by the TV personality and her camera crew while filming in the village in February.

It came during filming for her new ITV show, ‘How To Clean Up Your House For Cash’, which aired on Monday night (April 20). It sees Josie sneak into family homes, box up their unwanted items, and uncover their hidden value.

Ian Richardson, 54, who owns and runs the pub, said the atmosphere that night was “very lively”.

Josie Gibson with staff from The Joiners Arms (Image: The Joiners Arms)

He said: “The pub was really busy that evening, and they even brought the cameras up as well.

“It was a lovely weekend overall. Everyone was really nice, including Josie and the rest of the crew.”

The Quarry Tea House in Hunwick also had a visit from the TV star as she tried some bakes and sweet treats.

Mr Richardson, who has run the pub since taking over from his parents in 2002, said the visit had initially been kept secret while filming took place.

He said: “We were told to keep it quiet at the time because it was a new programme, but as the programme aired last night, I shared the news on Facebook and the response has been amazing.”

During her visit, the former Big Brother star tried out some local ales.

The 54-year-old said: “She came in asking for a local beer. I didn’t have one on at the time, so I gave her something different and showed her the glass.

“If you can ‘split the B’, you get a free pint, and she managed to do it, which was impressive. She even took drinks over to the rest of the group and got them to try, but they couldn’t manage it.”

The County Durham pub is no stranger to being visited by TV stars.

Broadcaster Zoe Ball also filmed in Hunwick earlier this year, with the programme ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ which is expected to air in the coming weeks.

Ian said putting Hunwick on the map will be “amazing” for businesses in the village.

Owner of the The Joiners Arms with Zoe Ball (Image: The Joiners Arms)

Owner of the The Joiners Arms with Zoe Ball (Image: The Joiners Arms)

He said: “It’s really tough running a business at the moment, so anything that brings people in and supports the pub is a good thing.

“The village also has a great cricket club and a working men’s club too. We all try to help each other out like proper villages do.

“We have a great community spirit here, so it’s been amazing to put it on the map.”

Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments

‘War criminal and sexist bigot’ gets away with depocuting himself as Jesus, reader says

I can’t believe that there isn’t a huge backlash in the US to Donald Trump depicting himself as Jesus – sorry, as a ‘doctor’ – in an AI image he posted.

When John Lennon came out with the harmless ‘Beatles are bigger than Jesus’ comment in 1966, there was an outcry, with public burnings of records, paraphernalia etc and death threats, yet this war criminal and sexist bigot gets away with it. Where’s the justice? Get him out, now.John Coyne, Leeds.

I found myself at odds with Stuart Dew, who praised Pablo O’Hana’s column in support of Pope Leo XIV (MetroTalk, Fri).

O’Hana wrote in support of the pontiff’s calls for peace in the face of Trump’s war on Iran. I’m nominally a Catholic, so take a natural interest in what Pope Leo says.

The first task of a Christian leader should be to defend the faith and its followers. Christianity is under vicious attack on many fronts, globally. And yet neither the Pope – nor Anglican Archbishop Sarah Mullally – show much enthusiasm for acting as vigorous ‘defenders of the faith’.

Regarding the conduct of armed conflicts, including the Iran War, I would certainly expect informed comment and moral guidance from all religious leaders.

But this should also reflect the context of the conflict. While I oppose Trump’s disastrous path, I also note the vile nature of the Iranian regime, its unceasing threats against Israel and the wider West, and its murderous treatment of its own citizens. Stuart Dew writes of Christian leaders as ‘our chaps’. I don’t feel quite so chummy, but I do respect them.

However, they need to be more circumspect and reflect the wider global picture. Simon Goddard, Solihull

Why hasn’t Trump been clear about his intentions?

John (MetroTalk, Mon) says the reason for Trump’s war on Iran is its nuclear ambitions. Wasn’t its nuclear capability obliterated a few months ago? Why hasn’t Trump been clear about his intentions? Pedro, Hammersmith

‘How on earth can Sir Keir Starmer say he had no idea what Mandelson was like?’

With regards to the vetting and overall scuttlebutt over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US despite his friendship to the late paeodophile Jeffrey Epstein, how on earth can Sir Keir Starmer say he had no idea what Mandelson was like?

There are undiscovered tribes in the Amazonian rainforest who knew Mandelson was a wrong ’un. Martin Lawrence, South Croydon

Stop ‘fuss’ over Prince Harry, says reader

So Prince Harry and his wife are not considered as ‘working royals’ but as ‘private citizens’. So why all the fuss and reporting of their Australian trip? After all, nothing was reported of my two trips to Australia and New Zealand as a ‘private citizen’. Keep ’em out of it! Rob, York

Tube strikes are ‘regaular’

This year’s annual RMT industrial action is here (Metro, Mon). It’s so regular it’s surprising it doesn’t appear on calendars.

Each Tube strike and the way they are metered out appears specifically designed to create the upmost disruption for the fare-paying public. Isn’t it about time the RMT changed their stance to the model of industrial action used by the Japanese, whereby rather than close the service on strike days they run a full service but open all barriers, making transport free?

I’m fed up with being held over a barrel because the staff running the service have a grievance with their management. Mark Longman, London

Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments

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